Eucharistic Congress drawing a crowd

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

A year before next June's International Eucharistic Congress, it's already getting difficult to book a hotel room.

Early in May, when James Doak of Ottawa booked his room for the congress in Quebec City, he discovered the hotel he chose was already 90 per cent full.

"Quietly, everyone has been booking in advance on the assumption the pope will be coming," said Doak, 42.

He wants to attend the big Mass on the Plains of Abraham on the congress' closing weekend. Should the pope accept the invitation to attend the congress, he will preside.

As of early July, most accommodations near ExpoCit‚, where events will take place, are sold out. Pilgrims will be competing for hotel rooms with those coming to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city's founding.

On June 25, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a news release directing people to the congress website at www.cei2008.ca.

"Close to 12,000 participants from all over the world are expected to come for a week of celebrations, adoration, catechesis and cultural events," the CCCB release said.

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